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Where to buy a laptop or ultrabook with Linux installed?
Kenstarsan
Member
I've seen linuxpreloaded, but where is a good site to buy a laptop or ultrabook with Linux installed? Price range < $900. AMD please.
Comments
Preinstalled Linux? I don't really see ultrabooks with Linux preinstalled...
Just out of interest.. why so hooked on having Linux pre-installed, rather than doing it yourself? It really doesn't take long, and requesting it hugely limits your options.
Also, why so hooked on AMD?
I got a pretty decent laptop for my birthday, that has an i5 in rather than AMD.. Windows 7.. but I just set it up to dual-boot with Ubuntu
Well, there are been some laptops on Mexico with Linux preinstalled... but that's rare. Why not buying anyone and reformat with ubuntu?
amazingly its usually cheaper ti have windows. the bloatware pays for the licence. then either remove the bloatware or remove the windows partition
dell has them.
They sign contracts with Microsoft ... so they will not be allowed to.
As others mentioned, it's usually cheaper to go with Windows due to software/hardware partnerships. Besides a system wipe and re-install takes an hour if not less.
But if you're keen on a pre-loaded linux install, you're probably only going to find Ubuntu based systems:
http://system76.com/
http://www.ohava.com/
Just get the macbook air. Same thing lol.
http://www.macmall.com/p/Apple-MacBook-Air/product~dpno~8815560~pdp.giecbbd
Gotta echo the others - why does Linux need to be pre-installed? Not hard to wipe the HD and install your own from a disk or USB drive.
The OP likely doesn't want to pay for a windows license.
Buy a Windows Laptop,
then claim a refund on Windows
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_refund
Pretty sure they don't do this anymore, they caught a lot of flak for it. Let's all be honest though, linux sales on desktops aren't very high, and companies don't want to have to maintain support for it.
@Kenstarsan find an ultrabook you like and then look up how driver compatibility is. Most specifically the wi-fi chip, everything else should work perfectly out of the box on something like Ubuntu and Fedora..
Remember a while ago people were talking about the Chromebook? Is it still in the plan for public release?
http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/chromebooks.html
This.
My Lenovo ideapad S205 have shipped with FreeDOS.
I asked for Linux pre-installed because I don't have the time to look up how compatible the hardware is and I don't want to screw it up and waste my money.
I found this one:
inatux.com/?p=sys09
What do you all think? Compatibility-wise.
It's quite a bit cheaper on TigerDirect http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2008029
I personally think its resolution is a bit low (1366 x 768) for 15.6", but that's just me, most people don't mind.
I don't think hardware compatibility is a big issue with most distros. For the most part the only issue you'll run into is compatibility with the WiFi chip, and that's a simple fix. Just download and extract the firmware files (tons of guides online). Though there are some chips that will be a huge pain to get working, a few google searches and you can easily avoid purchasing laptops (they're not that common though).
If you don't want to do the research (it doesn't really take much time...), I'd say order from that site, or find compatible ones listed on that site, and then search other retailers in order to get a better price, then just install *nix yourself (plus, you get a Windows license, so you can dual boot - always nice to have it installed just in case).
https://www.system76.com/laptops/
It's Intel, but uh, who wants AMD :P
Just so you know, there's probably less than 1% of chips that aren't compatible out of the box. Hardware on laptops on almost every single case is fully compatible with Ubuntu/Debian/Fedora these days.
You don't want to take the risk?
The risk is about the same as you crashing your car into a giant walking Jalapeno on your way to work, but you still take that risk.
Risk it for a biscuit lad.
http://bartongeorge.net/2012/05/07/introducing-project-sputnik-developer-laptop/
http://www.theverge.com/2012/5/7/3006266/dell-project-sputnik-ubuntu-xps-13-developers
Its a nice looking laptop.
Do NOT buy a laptop with Insyde H2O bios (most modern Toshibas), it's very hit-and-miss on if you can install Linux.
Really? o_O
Windows 8 computers are going to have a locked down boot loader.
Me but netbook only
Don't AMDs historically use less power then Intels?